August 16, 2011

Virgin Media adding five HD channels as part of UKTV deal

Virgin Media customers are soon to get Eden HD, Good Food HD, Dave HD, Watch HD and Alibi HD (once they launch) as part of the UKTV sale:

"Virgin Media has just completed agreements to launch the new HD channels from UKTV. I'm really pleased to say that we'll be adding them to our HD channel line-up as soon as we possibly can. We're still in discussion with UKTV about the precise technical details re timing, but our aspiration is to launch at the same time as Sky or as soon as possible after. " Peter Chapman, Associate Director, Content Acquisition

Virgin Media are also reported to be in discussions with Turner Broadcasting about Cartoon Network HD and TCM HD.

As these channels show mostly old (or very old) archive material in SD, I'm struggling to see how broadcasting them upscaled to 1080i is really going to make much difference. I guess Virgin get to claim they have more 'HD' channels.

Meanwhile the puss filled wound that is the lack of Sky Atlantic continues to fester and rot.

I don't want to sound sceptical about new channels but they're hardly the most exciting.

I'll maybe watch the odd QI or episode of 70's on Dave and Watch but HD isn't exactly going to make much of a difference there.

Eden, Good Food and Alibi, don't watch them at all. Aside from that series with Nathan Fillion do Alibi show any brand new content?

Priority HD channels should be for programmes which are visually stunningly, such as the programming on Sky Atlantic for example, and for sports programming, not endless repeats of panel shows and old comedies.

How about Sky Atlantic? History HD BIO HD and Sky Sports 3+4 HD? I Believe people would rather have these more popular HD channels not rarely watched HD channels. What about ITV 2,3 and 4 HD? Come on Virgin Media give us the more popular HD channels, not channels purchased on the cheap or for free.

come on vm stop mucking around and give us the popular channels,not the crap ones you get cheap or free and then try and say look whats comeing,sky must be in fits of laughter,on what you present to us,wake up vm

Have to say these new channels do not light my fire. I will not watch a single programme on them and there will be very little by way of new, not upscaled content in HD.

The ITV HD channels should be in the firing line (wouldn't watch them very much either but there is some new content and ITV4 has some sport that might be in HD!) along with Eurosport 2 (although I gather there are rights issues involved) and ESPN America.

But (leaving SS3 and 4 and Atlantic to one side) the big gains would come from some channels not currently in HD switching to it - yes, for example, I mean you Cinemoi which is far too expensive for grainy, soft SD but would seem a whole lot more attractive in HD. You know you really want to.